Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is "attracted by the idea" of the Greater London Authority taking over control of Alexandra Palace from Haringey Council, he announced at a conference in central London lastSaturday.

Addressing several hundred London Conservatives, including a delegation of 19 activists from Haringey led by Councillor Alan Dobbie, Richard Merrin and Justin Hinchcliffe, Mayor Boris slammed Haringey's "woeful neglect" of Ally Pally.

Richard Merrin commented:

"Alexandra Palace is more than just a local landmark. The Palace and Park together are a great asset for the whole of London and should be owned and managed by the GLA, not Haringey. It's great news that Boris is interested in this idea and wants to consider it further."

Justin Hinchcliffe added:

"Under Haringey Labour's mismanagement since the early 1980s, Ally Pally became a basket case. If we want to safeguard the future of the Palace and Park and protect it from dodgy development, then transfer of this great London asset to the GLA is the only answer."